An SAT micro-topic explainer. Free to read — no account needed.
A rotation of a unit-circle point follows a fixed coordinate rule. Rotating(x,y) by 180∘ gives (−x,−y), a reflection through the center. Rotating (x,y) by 90∘ counterclockwise gives (−y,x).
The figure shows a point A and its 180∘ rotation B. The two points are diametrically opposite, connected by a line through the center. Each coordinate of A becomes its negative in B.
Rotating by 180∘ is the same as adding π to the angle. So the point at angle 67π=π+6π is the 180∘ rotation of the point at 6π. If 6π gives (x,y), then 67π gives (−x,−y).
The new quadrant tells you the signs of the coordinates. Angle 67π lands in Quadrant III, where both x and y are negative. That matches the (−x,−y) result from the 180∘ rotation.
Worked examples
A point (0.6,0.8) lies on the unit circle. Where does it go after a 180∘ rotation? A 180∘ rotation negates both coordinates: (x,y)→(−x,−y). So it moves to (−0.6,−0.8).
A point (1,0) on the unit circle is rotated 90∘ counterclockwise. Where does it land? A 90∘ counterclockwise rotation sends (x,y) to (−y,x). So (1,0) moves to (0,1).
The point at angle 4π is (22,22). What is the point at 45π? Since 45π=π+4π, it is the 180∘ rotation, negating both coordinates. So it is (−22,−22).
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